48-year-old dupes several women with baby-giving 'powder', which turns out to be nothing but a weight-gain supplement
Khandekar was arrested from Devrukh town in Ratnagiri
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For Virar resident Sujata Khandekar, 48, duping women looking to have a child was a scam pregnant with possibilities. She would lure them with medicine - which was fake and included weight gain supplements - that would help them get pregnant and charge thousands of rupees for her miracle cure. But her charade didn't go unnoticed for too long as an FIR filed by one of her victims on Tuesday put her behind bars.
Officials have seized several instruments Khandekar used for doing black magic and the powder she gave as medicine. Pics/Hanif Patel
A 33-year-old Virar resident filed the FIR with three other victims that did Khandekar in. The victim mentioned in her complaint that she came to know about Khandekar as someone who helped sterile women become pregnant.
Also read - Mumbai Crime: Woman cheats house help of ornaments, cash
"I approached her with my husband. After checking me, she gave me a ring and a statue of Lord Krishna, asking me to put it under my cushion. She also asked me to wear a ring and not allow anyone to touch it. For that, she took Rs 5,000-7,000 in fees and asked me to come back after some days," said the woman.
Only a food baby
The next time she went there, Khandekar told the woman that she was not having a baby because someone has cast a spell on her house and offered to ward it off. "She also said she would give me medicine to have with milk that would definitely get me pregnant. Trusting her, I bought the powder, for which she charged me around Rs 2 lakh.
As per the given period of time, my hormones changed and weight increased; I thought I was pregnant. When I went to ask the doctor, they told me the powder I was using was for weight gain and not pregnancy. I called Khandekar, but her phone was switched off. I tried for several days, but it was still off. When I went to her house, it was locked," she said.
The woman then learnt that she was not the only victim. "She has cheated several women of around Rs 7-8 lakh. Four such women approached me, seeking help. We have given a written complaint to the Virar police. After doing the investigation, officers got to know about Khandekar and detained her from Devrukh town in Ratnagiri."
Cops seize 'medicine'
Officers have seized several instruments Khandekar used for performing black magic and the powder she gave the victims as medicine. "This powder is actually used for body building. After using it, the victims became fat and thought they were pregnant," said Renita Suvarna, a social activist.
In addition to the weight gain, Khandekar's powder stopped the menstrual cycles of several women for many months. But it was still a win for Khandekar, who collected their pictures for her records.
"On the basis of the complaint of a 33-year-woman, we have registered the complaint under section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code and arrested the 48-year-old today [Tuesday]," said an officer from Virar police station, adding that Khandekar was produced in court and sent to police custody.
Rs 2 lakh
Amount Khandekar charged for the 'miracle' powder
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